The Kiwanis Club of Ottawa

For more than a century, the Kiwanis Club of Ottawa has helped families facing financial hardship experience the joy of the holiday season. In recent years, the Holiday Hamper Program provided food gift cards and turkeys to more than 400 Ottawa families, helping ~1,250 individuals enjoy a hearty holiday meal. The effort involved more than 90 volunteer drivers and over 1,000 service hours. Kiwanis’ commitment to fighting food insecurity extends throughout the year. Through its support of Nutrition Blocs, the Club has funded 36,000 meals over the past two years, helping provide nutritious food to children and youth at risk. In 2025 alone, a $25,000 Kiwanis contribution helped fund 5,000 meals supporting approximately 1,000 children during the summer. The impact goes far beyond a turkey, food hamper or meal. For families struggling to make ends meet, this support provides relief, dignity and the ability to share meals together without the added stress of food insecurity. The Kiwanis Club of Ottawa turns generosity into meaningful, year-round community impact. Every meal provided is a reminder that Kids Need Kiwanis, and that a caring community can make a lasting difference, one family and one child at a time.

Nominated by: Caring and Sharing Exchange